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The Berkeley International Study Program (BISP) provides short-term study abroad opportunities for visiting international students.

The Berkeley International Study Program provides short-term study abroad opportunities on a space availability basis for visiting international students to study at UC Berkeley for one or two semesters. BISP students pay fees to the UC Berkeley Extension office, who also provide the necessary student visa documents and infrastructure needed to earn credit in UC Berkeley courses that can transfer back to visiting international students’ home university. BISP students take courses side-by-side with UC Berkeley students each semester on a space-availability basis. BISP students’ academic studies are enriched by their experiences at UCB, and the university’s professors and students value having international applicants join the class. There are two ways to apply to the Berkeley International Study Program, either through an agreement with your home institution, or as an independent student. Please refer to the following website for details and application guidelines and deadlines:
https://bisp.berkeley.edu/

10/28/2026

Hi BISPCal community, please meet Timber, a Fall 2026 law student from China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL).

Why study abroad at Berkeley?

According to Timber “Berkeley is a comprehensive institution. I feel it matches me: I am a law student, but I am also interested in art, poetry, and philosophy. When I heard that BISP originated in the Department of Sociology, I felt this was where I was headed.”

Through courses like Sociology 136: Urban Sociology, Timber shares that intellectual curiosity knows no boundaries and that meaningful conversations with professors and peers can reshape your entire academic trajectory. He’s a big fan of office hours, too.

His advice to prospective students:

Make thoughtful choices, but if you're uncertain, come to Berkeley anyway! According to Timber, the campus community will help you discover not just a career path, but a lifelong passion worth pursuing.

10/27/2026

Fall 2026 BISP students, we’d love your input!

Social media changes fast, and we want to make sure our content, channels, and approach connect with you and future students. This November, we’re hosting a 45-minute focus group to gather your feedback on what’s working and what we can do better.

Selected participants who complete the focus group will receive a $25 gift card to the Cal Student Store or Amazon.

📅 Application deadline: Friday October 30, 11:59 p.m. PT

🔗 Apply via the short survey: https://tinyurl.com/Fall26-BISPSocialMedia
Link in the comments below

Thank you for helping us grow our community!

10/26/2026

Fall 2026 BISP students, we’d love your input!

Social media changes fast, and we want to make sure our content, channels, and approach connect with you and future students. This November, we’re hosting a 45-minute focus group to gather your feedback on what’s working and what we can do better.

Selected participants who complete the focus group will receive a $25 gift card to the Cal Student Store or Amazon.

📅 Application deadline: Sunday, November 8, 11:59 p.m. PT

🔗 Apply via the short survey (link in the comments below):
https://tinyurl.com/Fall26-BISPSocialMedia

Thank you for helping us grow our community!

10/23/2026

Join CPM Delaney for a short hike. Meet new people, make friends, and have fun! This is open to all students in BISP!

Monday, November 2 • starting at 3:30 p.m. (15:30)

Meet in front of the Campanile and walk ~45 min through Northside neighborhoods to Indian Rock Park. Then enjoy a mini picnic and watch the sunset. The hike–more of a walk through neighborhoods–will be a pretty easy (albeit uphill) hike; anyone new to hiking is very welcome to join! Please be sure to wear comfortable shoes and to bring a water bottle.

See your email and bCourses for more information and to RSVP.

RSVP deadline: Thursday 10/29

10/22/2026

"Coffee and Conversation" with Trond ☕

The BISP Faculty Director, Professor Trond Petersen, enjoys meeting BISP students during their study abroad semester at UC Berkeley to learn more about their experiences along the way.

Topics may cover:
-Classes
-Enrollment processes
-Instructors’ office hours
-Housing
-Advising
-Student orgs
-Safety around campus

Current BISP students:
Additional “Coffee and Conversation” sessions are available
Monday, November 2 → Check bCourses for more details

10/20/2026

UC Berkeley’s Doe Library views while following big dreams ⭐️🤩.

Cabs is a study abroad student from Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico 🇲🇽 soaking it all in at Berkeley!

10/16/2026

BISP LGBTQ+ community members and allies are invited to join CPMs Ecco and Ella for crafting, eating, and watching LGBTQ+ movies**!**

October 24, 1-3 p.m. (13:00-15:00)

See your email and bCourses for more information.
RSVP deadline: Saturday 10/17.

10/15/2026

Three accomplished study abroad alumni recently joined current BISP students to share strategies that transformed their visiting students’ journeys into remarkable careers.

Thank you Starry, Masod and Luis for supporting and mentoring the growing BISP community.

More about the BISP Alumni Panelists’ savvy recommendations:

-Masod, a current M.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering graduate student at UC Berkeley, encouraged students to confidently prepare for faculty office hours (start small, and build the relationship over time) and to proactively develop a campus community that will create a strong professional foundation.

-Starry, GTM at Readdy, emphasized the power of multicultural networking and proactive engagement, encouraging students to leverage academic advising and to prioritize faculty connections. Starry shared one of her tried and true quotes: “Your network is your net worth”.

-Luis, founding member of technical staff at Universal AGI, encouraged students to step out of their comfort zones by doing something "crazy" while also defining their unique personal and professional edge.

Together, each panelist provided actionable strategies for current students to maximize their time on campus and while building lasting multicultural connections.

10/12/2026

Join Cultural Peer Mentors (CPMs) next week! Drop by and have a chat, ask questions, share a snack, make a bracelet, study together, write a postcard, craft, or just hang out!

All BISP students from all CPM groups are welcome!

See your email or bCourses for more information. Questions? Contact us | [email protected]

10/09/2026

🏈✨ Homecoming weekend is calling!

Join Mariana, aka “Cabs,” an international visiting student from Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM) 🇲🇽, as she gets ready for a big football game weekend at Berkeley! 💙💛 From gearing up for game day to cheering in the stands and enjoying the excitement with friends, Cabs is experiencing Cal spirit firsthand. 🐻📣

[Video Description]: Mariana “Cabs,” an international student from El Tec de Monterrey in Mexico, enjoys a Berkeley football game. The video shows her cheering excitedly from the stands and taking in the fun, energetic atmosphere of game day.

Address

410 Social Sciences Building
Berkeley, CA
94720

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://bisp.berkeley.edu/

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